Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Building a Solid Workbench Addendum

One of the things everyone should have in their shop is a good solid work bench. I was getting by with a $40 Chinese made plastic topped banquet table that I got at Menard's, but soon after I put it together the overhang end started to gradually fold and collapse. Last week I knew something had given way because the end of my bookshelf was sagging badly. The corner was folded under and fractured, and total collapse was imminent.

I built a workbench for the garage a month ago using the plans I found here and decided that it could be adapted to my particular space considerations. Although the plans call for rather tall legs and a long top, I made mine with 30 inch high legs and a 60 inch surface. You can adjust the dimensions any way you like to fit your particular needs and whether you plan to work standing up or sitting down.

For this kind of work it is better to attach the top with flush surface wood screws which I did. Then, if you like, you can attach a sheet of tempered masonite for hardness.

The biggest cost items are the Simpson Strong Tie RTC24 corner braces, which run nearly six dollars each. That puts you at about $55 with braces, hardware and a tube of construction adhesive. The Simpson people have been making structural connectors for wood structures since the 1950s and their products are good stuff. When you're done, you will have a very strong and rigid workbench or work table.

It takes a couple of hours to cut your lumber and put the bench together.

About Me

I'm a semi retired attorney and amp mechanic in central Iowa. I'm laying off the law and anything else I do not like due to my recent encounter with the Grim Reaper. Well. We passed by each other in the night and I got away clean. I moderate the posts here and I delete without comment those that attack me personally and are generally sophomoric, unlettered and play games with the truth.
This blog isn't a public toilet and you don't get to write on the walls here, people.
OUR CO-EDITOR: Darla Mondou comes to us through a fortuitous convergence of interest in ag law issues and technology-provided by those wonderful folks at Google and Blogger, who provide the forum. Darla is a graduate of the University of Arkansas School of Law and Graduate program in Agricultural Law, she hails from all over like me, and she is currently working on court appointed appeals in the federal system. It pays the bills.